Manual:Infantry Manual:Organization

Echelons
The SFMC is a hierarchical organization with various elements (echelons) of units arranged from Corps level (highest) to Squad level (lowest). Generally, each organization is replicated from three to five times to form the next larger element. As the echelon size increases additional support components are also added to the tactical organizations, which increase the overall size of the echelon.

Each echelon of a tactical unit is supervised by a non-commissioned officer (NCO) or commanded by a commissioned officer, depending upon the level. Non-commissioned officers lead squads and sections.

Warrant Officers (while technical specialists and usually not placed in Command positions) due to casualties or other needs, may be forced to serve as Unit Commanders or deputy Commanders. In this type of situation, a Warrant Officer will serve only as a temporary Commander and never for units above the MSG/Company level. Warrant Officers may also hold any post in the TO&E that would normally be held by a senior NCO that is of a technical nature (technicians, pilots, medics, specialists, etc…)

Commissioned officers command units from Platoon to Corps. Echelons above Company have component staffs of NCO’s and officers that directly assist the commanding officer in the operations of the units within the echelon.

Fire Team - 4 Marines
While not a true echelon, the Fire Team is an organization structure within the Infantry. A fire team is composed of 4 marines. Fire teams are usually all share the same MOS. That is, Light Weapon Fire Team all composed of MOS 3100 Light Weapons, Heavy Weapons or Reconnaissance.

Squad / Section - 8 / 16 Marines
The Squad, normally 8 marines, is the lowest recognized element in the SFMC organizational structure. The leader is a non-commissioned officer, usually a Sergeant (E-5) or Staff Sergeant (E-6).

In some units two Squads may compose a Section led by a Staff Sergeant (E-6).

Platoon - 16 Marines
The Platoon is composed of three Squads. The platoon is the basic combat unit capable of maneuvering in the conduct of combat operations. The Platoon is usually commanded by a commissioned officer (Lieutenant, O-1 / O-2) and assisted by a Platoon Sergeant who is a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7).

Company (MSG)/Troop/Battery/Squadron - About 80 Marines
The Company is a tactical sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own. It is capable of receiving and controlling additional combat, combat support or combat service support elements to enhance its mission capability. The Company has a small Headquarter element to assist the Commander. Typically, two platoons form a Company, with about 80 Marines and their assigned equipment. The Company is usually commanded by a Captain (O-3). A First Sergeant (E-8) is the commander’s principal non-commissioned assistant.

It is possible for Non-Special Operations Units to be tasked to carry out the job of a SpecOps force when no other forces are available. In order to be qualified to carry out these missions, the unit in question must be designated as Special Operations Capable (“SOC”). In order to achieve this designation, the unit must undergo rigorous training and education in the ways of the SFMC Special Operations forces and be ready at a moment’s notice. In order to achieve the SOC designator for your unit, the following condition must be met:
 * 1) The Unit OIC, DOIC and Senior Enlisted Marine must have passed SO-201 (SO-301 is preferred); and
 * 2) At least ½ of the marines assigned to your unit must have passed SO-100.

Once these requirements have been met, your unit will be permitted to add the SOC designator to your unit description. SOC Unit’s look like this when written out:

XXXth MSG, Infantry (SOC).

Battalion - 300-500 Marines
The Battalion is a unit that is both tactically and administratively self-sufficient. In war fighting, Battalions are capable of independent operations of limited duration and scope. The Battalion is typically composed of four to six companies / MSGs, and is usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), with a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) as the primary non-commissioned officer assistant. The Commander has a Battalion Staff of officers and non-commissioned officers to oversee missions, training, administration and logistics. The size of a Battalion can vary between 300 –500 Marines. A Battalion Task-Force (TF) is a Battalion size unit with additional companies / MSGs attached in direct support to enhance mission capability.

Brigade - 1,000-2,500 Marines
A Brigade is a significantly large unit, consisting of 3-5 Battalions and between 1,000 and 2,500 soldiers that can be employed on independent or semi-independent operations. The Brigade is usually commanded by a Colonel (O-6) or Brigadier (0-7), although in some cases a Brigadier General may assume command. The Command Sergeant Major (E-9) is the principal noncommissioned officer assistant.

During combat operations each of these Brigades have a field artillery battalion, engineer battalion, aerospace battalion (Marine Air Wing) and combat service support battalion in direct support. Brigades also exist in combat service and combat service support branches (e.g., Engineer Brigade, Signal Brigade).

Division - 4,000-15,000 Marines
The Division performs major tactical operations and can conduct sustained battles and engagements. Four to six brigades normally compose a Division. Divisions are numbered and are categorized by the most prevalent Branch of Service within the Division. The Division is usually commanded by a Major General (0-9) or Lieutenant General (O-10) who is assisted by two principal Brigadier Generals (0-8) who perform duties as Assistant Division Commanders (ADC) - one for Maneuver (ADC-M) and one for Support (ADC-S). The Command Sergeant Major is the principal non-commissioned officer assistant. Divisions are typically composed of three (3) tactical maneuver (Infantry and/or Armor) Brigades and a Division base of combat support and combat service support elements.

STARFLEET Marine Corps - Seven Divisions (28,000-105,000 Marines)
The Corps is the ultimate level of command required to synchronize and sustain combat operations. It also provides a framework for multi-planet operations. The Corps provides command, control and logistical support of all seven operational divisions of the SFMC. The Corps is usually commanded by a General (O-11) or Lieutenant General (O-10), and is as-sisted by the Deputy Commandant (a General Officer, usually a Major General (O-9) or Lieuten-ant General (O-10)), Sergeant Major of the SFMC, the General Staff (Commanding Officers of Forces Command, Information Command, and the Training and Doctrine Command) and an ex-tensive Corps staff. The location of the Headquarters for each of these officers is as follows: STARFLEET Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, Washington, DC, USA, Earth, Sol System STARFLEET Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets, Washington, DC, USA, Earth, Sol System STARFLEET Marine Corps Headquarters, Quantico, Virginia, USA, Earth, Sol System STARFLEET Marine Corps Headquarters, Quantico, Virginia, USA, Earth, Sol System Valley Forge Station, New Valley Forge System
 * Commandant/Deputy Commandant of the SFMC:
 * Sergeant Major of the SFMC:
 * Commanding Officer, Forces Command:
 * Commanding Officer, Information Command:
 * Commanding Officer, Training and Doctrine Command:

3.01.9 Major Commands There is one further, non-combat, organizational unit of the STARFLEET Marine Corps. The three (3) Major Commands (Forces Command, Information Command, and Training and Doctrine Command) of the SFMC are charged with overseeing day to day operations of the SFMC and reporting directly to the Commandant and Deputy Commandant. Commands are usually commanded by a Brigadier (O-7), Brigadier General (O-8) or Major General (O-9), and is assisted by one or more Deputy Commanding Officer(s) (usually a Colonel (O-6), Brigadier (O-7) or Brigadier General (O-8)), Command Sergeant Major for the Command, and an exten-sive staff as needed. 3.01.9.1 Headquarters/Headquarters Support Staff above Unit Levels The following staff members (below the Deputy Officer in Charge) are suggested as key staff members for all units of the SFMC, above the level of the Marine Strike Group). The only difference is that for the Divisional level organization; the prefix becomes “G” instead of “S” and the staff officers below each member of the Divi-sional staff officers report to the divisional staff officer in addition to their Battalion, Squadron, Brigade, Group, or Regimental Commander and his deputy. The positions are: S-1: Administration This officer, and his/her staff, is responsible for handling the day to day administrative needs of the unit (payroll, personnel transfers, promotions, awards, etc…) and reports directly to the unit OIC (and any Divisional level G-1, that may be in place). This post is usually held by a Captain (O-3) for the Bat-talion / Squadron Level, a Major (O-4) or a Lt. Colonel (O-5) at the Brigade/Group/Regiment level or a Colonel (O-6), Brigadier (O-7) or a Brigadier General (O-8) at the Divisional level. These officers are assisted by a Staff Sergeant (E-6) at the Battalion/Squadron level, a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) at the Brigade/Group / Squadron level or a First Sergeant (E-8) at the Divisional level as the shop NCO. S-2: Intelligence This officer, and his/her staff, is responsible for handling the day to day intelligence needs of the unit (maps, briefings, research, POW interrogations, etc..) and reports directly to the unit OIC (and any Di-visional level G-2, that may be in place). This post is usually held by a Captain (O-3) for the Battalion/Squadron Level, a Major (O-4) or a Lt. Colonel (O-5) at the Brigade/Group/Regiment level or a Colo-nel (O-6), Brigadier (O-7) or a Brigadier General (O-8) at the Divisional level. These officers are assist-ed by a Staff Sergeant (E-6) at the Battalion/Squadron level, a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) at the Brigade/Group/Squadron level or a First Sergeant (E-8) at the Divisional level as the shop NCO. IN MANUAL 11 S-3: Training and Operations This officer, and his/her staff, is responsible for handling the day to day training and operational needs of the unit to make sure that the unit is mission ready at all times (ensuring that all Marines are quali-fied, arranging schools as needed, arranging exercises, etc..) and reports directly to the unit OIC (and any Divisional level G-3, that may be in place). This post is usually held by a Captain (O-3) for the Bat-talion / Squadron Level, a Major (O-4) or a Lt. Colonel (O-5) at the Brigade/Group/Regiment level or a Colonel (O-6), Brigadier (O-7) or a Brigadier General (O-8) at the Divisional level. These officers are assisted by a Staff Sergeant (E-6) at the Battalion/Squadron level, a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) at the Brigade / Group / Squadron level or a First Sergeant (E-8) at the Divisional level as the shop NCO. S-4: Logistics This officer, and his/her staff, is responsible for handling the day to day logistical needs of the unit (supplies, vehicles, movement orders, ammunition supplies, etc…) and reports directly to the unit OIC (and any Divisional level G-4, that may be in place). This post is usually held by a Captain (O-3) for the Battalion / Squadron Level, a Major (O-4) or a Lt. Colonel (O-5) at the Brigade/Group/Regiment level or a Colonel (O-6), Brigadier (O-7) or a Brigadier General (O-8) at the Divisional level. These of-ficers are assisted by a Staff Sergeant (E-6) at the Battalion/Squadron level, a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) at the Brigade / Group / Squadron level or a First Sergeant (E-8) at the Divisional level as the shop NCO. 3.02 Types of Units Infantry units are highly flexible and may be organized in several fashions as best suits the mission. To best understand the organization of such units, let us look at the building blocks of Marine Infantry organization. 3.02.1 Platoon and Company Types Platoon & company types are formed based on mission requirements and logistical considerations. These platoons can then be combined in various ways to form a myriad of company types. These platoon types can usually be either Powered or Light, unless otherwise specified below. The most common platoon types are: Light Infantry Rifle Platoon A platoon that uses light weapons such as the R944 Phaser Rifle and R217 7mm Machine Gun. The team leaders rifle is usually equipped with a grenade launcher attachment. Heavy Weapons Platoon A platoon that fields mortars, man-portable missile systems, and other heavy weapons to support Light Infantry rifle platoons. Powered HW Platoons are usually equipped with Magnum suits. The Assault Platoon These platoons specialize in covert and “forced-entry” insertion operations. Powered Assault Platoons are assembled with whatever suits and specialists best fit the terrain / mission. Reconnaissance Platoon A concentration of Battlefield Surveillance Specialists and specially trained Infantrymen to increase the tactical intelligence available to the battlefield commander. The Powered Recon Platoon is equipped with scouting Pathfinder suits. Scout / Sniper Platoon A different and much more specialized reconnaissance platoon, these can often be combined with standard recon platoons for even more effective intelligence gathering and battlefield surveillance. There is no equivalent Powered Platoon type here. Powered Armor does not lend itself to stalking and concealment. IN MANUAL 12 Aeromobile This designation indicates that the Infantry unit has been assigned subordinate aerospace units, and that those organic (belonging to the Infantry unit) air elements are capable of transporting all of the Infantry unit’s assets. This is naturally a large and complex force that few starships outside amphibi-ous assault craft can embark. However, a few of the larger classes (i.e. Galaxy & Sovereign) do em-bark such units, which are used as Rapid Deployment Forces for trouble spots and other crises. Aer-omobile Infantry Units are rarely larger than Company-sized. Special Operations Capable An SOC designation means the unit is trained in a limited but important range of special operations missions. While equipped and prepared to carry out such missions at a moment’s notice, these are not the small, elite Spec Ops. They are standard Infantry units with specialized training and equip-ment, and, therefore, fall outside the Special Operations Branch. A unit can receive the SOC designa-tion if all members complete SO-100 & SO-201. 3.03 Fields of Service The Infantry Branch is divided into seven related areas, called Fields of Service. These fields of service are based on mission and equipment used. 3.03.1 Light Infantry (LI) Ground troops that fight on foot with a minimum of carried weapons in fast-moving, adapta-ble formations are Light Infantry. Also known as LI, today’s light infantry bears a strong re-semblance to the first infantry, even though their weapons & gear have changed. Light in-fantry units are what most people think of when they hear “Marine”. The use of LI is a bit more limited in the 24th century, since the lightly protected infantryman is susceptible pow-erful weapon systems of today. 3.03.2 Powered Infantry (PI) Power Infantry has been a part of the ground forces of several civilizations since before the founding of the SFMC. The technology has been improved and by the time of the Dominion War powered infantry had be-come an extremely effective weapon. This “powered armor” is less of a Mecha and more than exoskeleton. It is a fully mechanized and articulated suit individually fitted to the infantryman that includes life support, weap-ons, fire control, communications, and essential supplies. While it is not organic technology, any powered in-fantryman will tell you their suit is an extension of themselves. There are three types of PI Suits: 3.03.2.1 Suit Control Principles: Negative Feedback Except for the obvious difference in scale, PI suits resemble some types of Mecha vehicles. This leads the general public to assume controls and operation of each are the same, but nothing can be further from the truth. Mecha vehicles are vehicles: the pilot sits at controls that he operates both with his hands, and through his neural interface helmet. A PI suit is fitted to its wearer and operates as an extension of himself. It adds to his strength, his speed, and his survivability, but it functions with him, not for him. It does this through a complex system of sensors which press themselves against the wearer when he climbs into and activates the suit. These then sense the wearer’s body movements on a continual basis. For exam-ple, when the wearer lifts his forearm, the sensors feel the increased pressure between the top of the wear-er’s arm and the inside of the suit’s upper forearm. As long as the wearer continues to push, the suit will raise it’s forearm in an effort to relieve the pressure on the sensors. When the wearer stops their arm, the pressure on the sensors also stops, so the suit’s arm stops. This is negative feedback. What negative feedback means to the wearer is that the suit moves with them naturally and instinctively from the very first instant they climb into it. They do not have to learn complex controls to make the suit move, they IN MANUAL 13 require only experience in learning the suit’s capabilities. From the first time a recruit climbs into the suit, they can walk, run, jump, pick items up, etc. Of course, not knowing how much the suit amplifies their movements, they may find themselves atop a building the first time they try to jump. That’s where experience comes in. 3.03.2.2 Suit Capabilities Powered suits magnify the strength of the wearer by using servomotors and heavy load bearing structural components to increase the power of the wearer’s natural arms and legs. For instance, in a powered suit, the average human can lift 10 to 20 times the amount of weight they could normally lift on a class M planet (the amount varies with suit type). Accordingly, the amount of weight a trooper can carry is increased as well. While this is uite impressive when the items in question are things like people and furniture, the statistic is somewhat less impressive when one notes that this means one Powered Infantryman can only just pick up another. In the same manner arm strength is amplified, so too is leg strength. Even in the heavy Dreadnought suit, a PI can run at about 30mph. The lighter H227 Viper Suit—built for speed—can manage over 50mph. This means that PI troops very rarely require vehicles for deployment as they can run about as fast as an APC an-yway. Leg strength is amplified in another way as well. By using jump-jet assemblies in the legs (similar to common jet-boots used by recreational mountain climbers), a powered suit can jump much higher than an average hominid. On a class M world a Pathfinder scouting suit can average a vertical leap of 15m with little effort. There is enough fuel in the Pathfinder leg assemblies for a hundred such jumps. The heavier Dragoon suit has neither the height-range nor endurance of the Pathfinder, but even the much heavier assault suit can crank out a 10m vertical leap when need arises. Powered armor also increases a PI’s survivability by protecting him with both physical and energy armor. The suit’s skin is duranium composite in most areas, very resistant to impact and damage. Vital areas also have a thin layer of cast rhodinium added (helmet, chest, back). If energy usage is not a problem, the suit can also use a low-level force-field that will protect it from most light weapons for a good amount of time. A powered suit also increases a PI’s endurance by providing him with a comfortable environment inside the suit, and by giving him water and nutrients on demand (through a food/water tube inside the helmet). A PI can even sleep inside his suit if necessary (the suit can be set to remain stationary while the trooper relaxes). The real limit to a PI’s endurance, then is his suit, which runs on charge packs similar to a tactical aerospace fighter. Charge pack endurance varies widely with suit load, operating environment, suit type, etc. 3.03.2.3 Capability Standards In the following listings of suit types, each suits’ average capabilities are listed. Although it should be noted that since weapons mix, field equipment, and fighting environment can vary widely, these figures are really only valid for comparing one suit type to the others under the same circumstances. The actual maximums of the suit vary too widely to cover ever permutation in this brief guide. For purposes of these comparisons, the following standards are established: 1. The suit is operating in a Class M environment (as defined by Starfleet Regulatory Agency (SFRA) standard 102). 2. The suit environment is being maintained to SFRA standard 102.19 for Class M compatible oxygen-breathing personnel. 3. The suit is being worn by an average hominid (as defined by SFRA-standard 103). 4. The suit is operating with the average ordnance load-out listed in the suit description, and under bat-tlefield conditions 3.03.2.4 Powered Infantry Suits There are currently there are five Powered Infantry Suits in the SFMC inventory. Each suit has different ca-pabilities and are used based on the mission parameters. Below you will find a description of each suit, its specifications and the weapons & equipment available to that suit. IN MANUAL 14 H200 C3 Leader’s Suit The H200 is the SFMC’s Powered Infantry Leader Suit. It is assigned to unit leadership elements such as OIC’s & NCOIC’s. Designed for Command & Control, few weapons can mount on it due to advanced sensors & communication gear mounted on the suit. The C3 also has expanded communications capabilities, which typically include a private channel for unit commanders, a dedicated fire support channel and a direct line to tactical HQ. Mass: 200 kg Available Weapons: X786O Flamethrower Speed: 50 kph R207 7mm Machine Gun Strength: 90 kg R612 Phase Cannon Armor Index: 20 Availble Equipment: M882 Combat Lifesaver Kit EQW-28 Advanced Battlefield Surveillance System EQW-804 Air Defense Sensor System IRY-414 Combat Tricorder